Championship Playoff Results
Two fairly decent games resulted in the Indianapolis Colts vs. the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl.
New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 30 (predicted: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 27)
The Colts weren’t looking very impressive in the first 28 minutes of the game before a momentum-shifting drive to end the first half swung the balance firmly in favor of the Colts. With stars Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark held to 55 and 35 yards, Peyton Manning made short work of the Jets No. 1 ranked defense with rookie Austin Collie (7 catches, 123 yards, 1 TD) and second-year veteran Pierre Garcon (11 catches, 151 yards, 1 TD).
The Colts defense stepped up and pitched a second-half shutout, frustrating Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Jets running backs combined for 86 yards after leading the AFC in rushing during the regular season.
Minnesota Vikings 28, New Orleans Saints 31 (predicted: Minnesota Vikings 35, New Orleans Saints 31)
In one of the most rollercoaster playoff games in recent memory the Saints knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs on a 40-yard field goal in overtime. In a game with nine fumbles (6 by Minnesota, 3 by New Orleans), nothing seemed certain as the two teams seemed like their own worst enemy, especially Minnesota. Twice in the red zone their chance was fumbled away, ultimately costing them a trip to the Super Bowl.
In what’s becoming a running theme, Brett Favre ended his third straight season with a bad interception, this time throwing across his body in an attempt to reach Sidney Rice to end the fourth quarter and a promising Vikings drive. He never got the ball back as the Saints won the toss and got the win.
1-1 in the Championship round, 3-10 overall.
